What The Shift
The Podcast for Your 2am Thoughts
What the Shift is a podcast for women navigating the thoughts, questions, and quiet realizations that show up when everything finally gets quiet.
The ones about exhaustion you can’t quite explain.
Success that no longer fits.
Boundaries you know you need—but feel guilty setting.
And the feeling that something is shifting, even if you don’t have words for it yet.
No one taught us how to stop people-pleasing.
Or overfunctioning.
Or holding our feelings without apologizing for them.
They just assumed we’d figure it out.
This show creates space for the conversations women are having with themselves at 2am, but rarely out loud. Through honest, no-BS conversations, we interrupt the patterns behind quiet burnout, self-silencing, and the pressure to “handle it all.”
This isn’t therapy.
It’s not fixing.
And it’s definitely not another productivity strategy.
It’s context.
Clarity.
And the relief of realizing you’re not broken, you’re conditioned.
Hosted by Gia Lacqua, What the Shift is where late-night thoughts turn into real conversations—and real shifts.
The Podcast for Your 2am Thoughts
What the Shift is a podcast for women navigating the thoughts, questions, and quiet realizations that show up when everything finally gets quiet.
The ones about exhaustion you can’t quite explain.
Success that no longer fits.
Boundaries you know you need—but feel guilty setting.
And the feeling that something is shifting, even if you don’t have words for it yet.
No one taught us how to stop people-pleasing.
Or overfunctioning.
Or holding our feelings without apologizing for them.
They just assumed we’d figure it out.
This show creates space for the conversations women are having with themselves at 2am, but rarely out loud. Through honest, no-BS conversations, we interrupt the patterns behind quiet burnout, self-silencing, and the pressure to “handle it all.”
This isn’t therapy.
It’s not fixing.
And it’s definitely not another productivity strategy.
It’s context.
Clarity.
And the relief of realizing you’re not broken, you’re conditioned.
Hosted by Gia Lacqua, What the Shift is where late-night thoughts turn into real conversations—and real shifts.
Life doesn’t stay the same—and neither do you
What the Shift is the podcast for those moments.
The conversations women are already having with themselves at 2am—about exhaustion, boundaries, people-pleasing, overfunctioning, and the quiet realization that something needs to change.
This isn’t about fixing your life or becoming a new version of yourself.
It’s about understanding the patterns you’ve been living inside—so you can decide what still fits, and what doesn’t.
If it’s been keeping you up, you’re in the right place.
Be a Guest On What The Shift!
Your story has power. Let’s use it to make shift happen.
If you’ve ever realized—quietly or all at once—that something in your life stopped fitting, this conversation is for you.
What the Shift isn’t about polished success stories or perfectly packaged lessons. It’s about the moments no one prepares women for—the patterns you’ve outgrown, the rules you stopped following, and the truths you finally let yourself say.
We’re inviting guests who are willing to talk honestly about the questions that show up when everything gets quiet. The ones you don’t usually share on stage or on LinkedIn. The ones that actually change how you live and lead.
This isn’t therapy.
There’s no coaching or fixing.
It’s a real conversation—with impact.
If your experience includes a moment where you thought, “I can’t keep doing this the same way,” you’re exactly who we’re looking for.
Let’s talk.
Episodes
Sep 5, 2025
Sep 5, 2025
33 min
You don’t need more willpower. You don’t need another mindset shift. You need to rewire the operating system that’s been running the show since childhood.
In this fascinating episode, Break Method founder and mental health innovator Bizzie Gold pulls back the curtain on why so many high-achieving women stay stuck in patterns they can’t seem to break—no matter how much therapy, self-help, or inner work they’ve done.
Her groundbreaking discovery? Self-deception follows predictable patterns that can be mapped, diagnosed, and rewired—with 98.3% accuracy.
Inside the episode:
Why your narrative is lying to you (and what to trust instead)
How Bizzie’s data-driven diagnostic system bypasses willpower entirely
The real reason high-performing women struggle in intimate relationships
Why traditional therapy and self-help often make things worse
This isn’t about coping. It’s about rewriting your emotional code so you can finally stop sabotaging the life, relationships, and success you actually want.
Because your brain is a filthy liar—and it’s time you stopped believing everything it says.
Learn more about Bizzie: https://bizziegold.com/bg-welcome
Aug 29, 2025
Aug 29, 2025
30 min
You know the addiction that gets rewarded with promotions, praise, and performance reviews?Busyness.
In this episode of What the Shift, author and executive Barbara Burgess joins Gia to unpack the invisible addiction plaguing high-achieving women: doing more to feel like we matter. Together, they explore the voices of Enough and Not Enough, how to break the unconscious proving loop, and what happens when we finally stop performing our lives and start living them.
Barbara shares the story that sparked her book Enough—a simple moment of sidewalk chalk that cracked her open and let the light in.
Inside this conversation:
The identity shift from resume to realness
Why your body knows before your brain does
How to quiet the voice of “Not Enough” (and give it a name)
Why busyness is not a badge—it’s a barrier to presence
What it takes to stop measuring your worth in output
You don’t need to prove your value to earn your peace. Sometimes the boldest move is slowing down long enough to remember—you’re already enough.
Learn more about Enough: corluma.com/enough
Aug 22, 2025
Aug 22, 2025
38 min
You’ve done everything “right”—you’re successful, capable, and high-functioning. But beneath the polished exterior? You’re exhausted. Disconnected. Over it.
In this episode, Gia sits down with therapist, coach, and cycle-breaker Alyssa Scarano to unpack the truth about trauma responses that get rewarded—until they stop working. Together, they explore how coping mechanisms like over-functioning, hyper-independence, emotional suppression, and busyness are often rooted in childhood survival, not strength.
Alyssa opens up about her own identity shift through motherhood, the pressure to be everything for everyone, and the moment she realized being strong was costing her peace. If you’ve ever felt like the success you built came at the expense of your own well-being, this conversation will hit deep.
Topics We Cover:
The hidden trauma behind “doing it all”
Signs you’re stuck in survival mode (even if you look fine)
Why hyper-independence isn’t a flex—it’s a wound
How motherhood exposes generational patterns
The truth about self-loyalty and nervous system safety
What it actually looks like to break cycles and come home to yourself
This episode is for the woman who’s done mistaking exhaustion for excellence. Your coping got you applause. But it also got you anxiety. Disconnection. Collapse. You can’t heal by doing more of what broke you. It’s time to stop performing and start reclaiming.
Learn more about Alyssa here: collective-therapy.com
Aug 15, 2025
Aug 15, 2025
30 min
She had the six-figure job, the global title, the kids, the calendar—and a deep, unspoken sense that none of it actually fit.
In this powerful episode, Dr. Michelle El Khoury shares the story of what happens when your career and motherhood feel like parallel lives—and the moment she decided to stop splitting herself in two. A former pharmaceutical executive turned perinatal wellness expert, Michelle opens up about the burnout, postpartum struggles, identity loss, and the wake-up call that changed everything.
Together, we unpack:– Why balance is a myth—and what to build instead– The hidden cost of “doing it all” without support– How to parent, lead, and live with intention (not reaction)– The SMART Journey to Parenting framework that’s redefining success for working moms
If you’ve ever felt like you’re checking all the boxes but still losing yourself in the process—this episode will meet you right where you are.
You don’t have to choose between your ambition and your peace. But you do have to stop living two versions of yourself.
Learn More about Michelle: smartparentingwithmichelle.com
Aug 8, 2025
Aug 8, 2025
31 min
She wasn’t just a patient—she was a respected healthcare provider. And still… no one listened.
When Dr. Tara Harding faced infertility, endometriosis, and a series of alarming health crises, she expected answers.
Instead, she got dismissal, “it’s just bad luck,” and unexplained diagnoses that went nowhere. That moment changed everything.
In this raw conversation, Dr. Tara shares:
How medical gaslighting shows up—and why it’s so dangerous
The cultural conditioning that teaches women to downplay pain
Why “unexplained” is never an acceptable answer
The shift from playing it safe to building a purpose-driven business and clinic
How to trust your body—and never hand over your power
If you’ve ever been dismissed, doubted, or told “it’s normal” when you knew it wasn’t—this episode will remind you: Your body isn’t the problem. The system is. And you have more power than you think.
Learn more about Dr. Tara: www.drtaraharding.com
Aug 1, 2025
Aug 1, 2025
43 min
Why do so many high-achievers feel like they’re still not enough—even after checking every box? In this powerful conversation, Trevor Hanson joins Gia to unpack how anxious attachment, inner child wounds, and overfunctioning keep us stuck in cycles of burnout, self-doubt, and chasing approval. Trevor is a coach and founder of The Art of Healing. He teaches relationship and attachment skills through the Secure Self Club.
Trevor shares his deeply personal story of career loss, toxic relationships, and the turning point that forced him to confront the beliefs driving his self-worth. Together, they explore:
What anxious attachment really looks like in high-functioners
How to recognize your personal protection patterns—and break the cycle
Why overachieving is often just emotional avoidance in disguise
The Tempo Cycle framework that reveals where you're stuck (and how to shift)
How healing your inner child transforms your relationships, your confidence, and your peace
This episode is a must-listen if you’re tired of white-knuckling your way through life—and ready to feel secure from the inside out.
Learn more about Trevor: theartofhealingbytrevor.com
Jul 25, 2025
Jul 25, 2025
31 min
What happens when you walk away from a dream job—and the identity that came with it?
In this honest and energizing conversation, Gia sits down with Tara Clark—author, mental health advocate, and founder of Modern Mom Probs—to unpack what it really looks like to pivot, rebuild, and redefine success on your own terms.
From leaving her corporate media career at Nickelodeon to launching a parenting platform that now reaches millions, Tara shares the unfiltered story behind the polished bio—and what most moms don’t talk about when it comes to ambition, identity, and the emotional load of motherhood.
Together, they dive into:
The identity crisis that hits when you leave a powerful title behind
Why so many women struggle to give themselves permission to change
The “mental load” and loneliness of modern motherhood
The rise of the Type C Mom—and why balance isn’t about perfection
How to stop proving, start living, and lead with self-trust
If you’ve ever asked yourself Who am I without the job, the role, the resume?—this episode is your reminder: you’re allowed to pivot, and you don’t owe anyone an explanation.
🎧 Tune in now and discover what it really takes to redefine motherhood and success—on your own terms.
Learn more about Modern Mom Probs: modernmomproblems.com
Jul 18, 2025
Jul 18, 2025
32 min
What if your drive wasn’t ambition—but addiction?
In this raw and revelatory episode, Gia sits down with keynote speaker, business coach, and bestselling author Kim Rogne to unpack the hidden reason so many high-achieving women can’t slow down—even when they know they need to. From CEO of a multi-million-dollar real estate brokerage to founder of For the Love Of, Kim shares how a ski accident forced her to finally pause—and face the identity she'd been performing for decades.
Together, they explore:
The “fixer” identity and why so many women can’t stop rescuing
How busyness becomes a coping mechanism—and an addiction
The lie of balance and what it really means to live in alignment
What it takes to rewrite your success story after burnout
Kim’s bold move from hustle to harmony—and how you can make the shift too
If you’ve been moving at full speed and still feel like it’s never enough, this conversation will stop you in your tracks—in the best way.
Jul 11, 2025
Jul 11, 2025
32 min
That pain, that fatigue, that anxiety? It’s not random. It’s your nervous system screaming what you’ve been too busy to feel.
In this powerful conversation, licensed therapist and nervous system coach Grace Secker unpacks the hidden root of chronic pain, fatigue, anxiety, and burnout—and how it’s often your body’s last-resort attempt to get your attention.
Grace shares her personal journey from debilitating pain to full-body healing and introduces her Mind-Body Healing Method, a proven approach to regulation, safety, and sustainable wellness. We dig into:
The brain-body connection and why pain is never just physical
The link between emotional suppression and physical symptoms
How trauma rewires your nervous system—and how to gently rewire it back
Why “pushing through” is the fastest path to collapse
What real regulation looks like—and how to come home to yourself again
If you’ve been “functioning” but not truly living, this episode is your wake-up call. You’re not broken. You’re just disconnected from the one thing that can actually heal you: you.
Learn more about Grace at: https://www.elevatetherapywellness.com
Jul 4, 2025
Jul 4, 2025
37 min
What does it really take to walk away from what’s working—and bet on what’s right?
In this episode of What the Shift, I sit down with Leslee Owen, Co-Founder & CEO of Movement Maker Web Design Agency, to talk about the radical decision that changed everything. She was running a profitable coaching business, hosting a podcast, and doing all the “right” things—until she realized none of it felt aligned anymore.
Leslee shares:
The solo retreat that revealed the misalignment in her business
Why she shut down a launch mid-promo—and never looked back
What radical focus looks like at home and at work
How to build a website that works as hard as you do
The mindset shift that took her from burnout to billion-dollar clients
If you've ever felt like the life you built no longer fits, this one will hit deep.
Learn more about Leslee’s work at: https://movementmaker.pro

GIA LACQUA
Host of What the Shift | Author of PowerShift | Speaker
Gia Lacqua is a former Fortune 100 Vice President turned Chief Empowerment Officer of elivate, where she helps high-achieving women redesign success to fit who they are now, not who they had to become to succeed. As a trauma-informed empowerment coach, speaker, researcher, and author, she draws on two decades of corporate experience and a decade of executive leadership, neuroscience, and trauma-informed practices to guide women in shifting out of survival-mode success and into lives they don’t have to survive. Her thought leadership has been featured in Forbes, Newsweek, Thrive Global, WorkLife, Scary Mommy, and more, and she is a proud member of the Forbes Coaches Council.
Gia is the author of the book PowerShift and the Limitless Little Leaders children’s series. She also serves as First Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey, advancing the next generation of female leaders. A Professional Certified Coach and Certified Neurological Fitness™ Trainer, Gia blends research, lived experience, and bold leadership to help women shift from performance-driven success to purpose-driven self-leadership.
Let's make shift happen.
Frequently Asked Questions
🔹 How can I apply to be a guest on the podcast?
If you have a compelling story, expertise, or insight that aligns with our mission, we’d love to hear from you! All potential guests must submit an application through our official form. Apply here.
🔹 What kind of topics do you cover?
We focus on bold, transformative conversations that help women going through career, relationship, identity, . Our discussions include leadership, mindset mastery, personal reinvention, resilience, priority, mindset shifts, and more.
🔹 Can I suggest a guest for the show?
Yes! If you know someone who would be a great fit, please encourage them to submit an application here. We review all submissions carefully and will reach out if there’s a fit.
🔹 How can I collaborate or partner with What The Shift?
We’re open to partnerships, sponsorships, and collaborations that align with our mission. To explore opportunities, email us at WTS@gialacqua.com.
🔹 Where can I listen to the podcast?
Tune in on Podbean, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts.




